Birmingham City in taks with Tottenham striker Robbie Keane

Birmingham City have confirmed that they are in talks with Tottenham over
Robbie Keane but their hopes of signing the striker this month rest on
whether acting chairman Peter Pannu is able to persuade Spurs to lower their
£8 million asking price.

As Pannu discovered when Birmingham attempted to buy Roman Pavlyuchenko last January, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy drives a hard bargain during the transfer window. It is unlikely that he will any more flexible this year, especially as he knows how desperate Alex McLeish is for a striker.

The Blues manager has made no secret of the fact that signing a proven Premier League goalscorer is his number one priority during the current window, with Cameron Jerome and Nikola Zigic failing to provide the cutting edge the relegation-threatened club require. Birmingham’s lack of goals has left them four points off the bottom of the table.

Keane has emerged as a target for a number of clubs, including West Ham, Wolves and Aston Villa, The Irishman has been marginalised yet further at White Hart Lane with the success of Rafael van der Vaaart, and a move would suit both Spurs, who want to open up space and free themselves of a high earner, and the player, who wants regular first team football.

Birmingham, meanwhile, need a goal threat. Midfielder Craig Gardner is the top scorer with just five goals and McLeish has become frustrated at his side's inability to convert their chances.

McLeish spent £6 million in the summer on Serbian international Zigic, but the 6ft 7.5in striker does not supply regular goals, while Jerome has failed to reproduce the form which brought him 11 Premier League goals last season. Kevin Phillips, meanwhile, is now at the veteran age of 37, and restricted to appearances from the bench.